Trajectory and Predictors of Mental Health Symptoms and Wellbeing in Newly Admitted Nursing Home Residents

ABSTRACT

Objectives

This study determined changes in multiple aspects of mental health and wellbeing in newly admitted nursing home residents, and identified risk and protective factors.

Methods

Participants were 204 residents recently admitted to one of 42 nursing homes in Melbourne, Australia. A subgroup of 82 participants were followed up eight months post-admission. Depression, anxiety, stress, adjustment, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Predictive factors (demographics, health, transition factors, nursing home characteristics) were examined in multiple regression analyses.

Results

Rates of depression and anxiety were high at both baseline and follow-up. Low self-rated health and medical comorbidity predicted poor wellbeing at baseline. Higher perceived control in the relocation to the nursing home and engagement in meaningful activities were associated with better post-admission outcomes. Baseline psychotropic medication use predicted lower anxiety at follow-up but did not impact depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

There were no significant changes in mental health and wellbeing from one to eight months post-admission. The negative effect of residing in a for-profit nursing home requires further investigation.

Clinical Implications

Individual activity scheduling and an opportunity to participate in relocation decision-making and planning may support resident wellbeing post-admission.

KEYWORDS:

• Adjustment
• anxiety
• depression
• long-term care
• mental health
• quality of life
• wellbeing

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge all the participants and nursing home facility staff who participated in this study. Thanks are due to several researchers who coordinated participant recruitment and assisted with the collection of data: Vera Costa, Julie Kelly, Anastasia Konis, Sofie Dunkerley, Olivia Trencher, Lauren Pigdon, Priscilla Marietta, and Jacqueline Noble.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council [GNT1102997].